News Dabba for 29 June 2023: Five stories for a balanced news diet

Indie Journal brings you the daily updates that the internet is talking about through various news websites. Here's a glance through some of the National and International news updates, from Rahul Gandhi's convoy being stopped by Manipur police, a five-day bank holiday in Sri Lanka, to protests across Paris.

The Hindu: India removed from UNSG report on impact of armed conflict on children

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has removed India from his annual report on the impact of armed conflict on children, The Hindu reports. He cited "measures taken by the government to better protect" them. Mr. Guterres said in his report last year, he had welcomed the engagement of the Indian government with his special representative. The UN chief further said as per the report, "In view of the measures taken by the government to better protect children, India has been removed from the report in 2023." Read the full report here.

Rahul Gandhi's convoy stopped by Manipur police, Times of India

Times of India reports that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's convoy was on stopped by the Manipur police at Bishnupur, about 20 kilometres from Imphal. After arriving at Imphal, he was travelling in a convoy to Churachandpur to visit relief camps in the area. Police officials said the convoy was stopped fearing violence along the route, the report adds. They said that tires were burnt on the highway near Utlou village in Bishnupur district and a few stones were thrown at the convoy. Read the full report here.

Five-day bank holiday in Sri Lanka for debt restructuring, BBC reports

BBC reports that Sri Lanka began a five-day bank holiday from Thursday to allow the crisis-hit nation to restructure $42bn in domestic debt. The country is facing its worst economic crisis since it won independence from the British in 1948. There are fears that the government's restructuring plan could lead to volatility in financial markets, the report says. Debt restructuring can involve the extension of the period over which a loan is repaid. As per BBC, local media also quoted analysts as saying that the holiday was announced to provide a suitable buffer for any potential market reactions to significant financial announcements. Read the full report here.

Muslims who returned to Purola told not to hold Eid gatherings even at home: Hindustan Times

Days after Muslim families of the Uttarakhand town of Purola began returning to their homes and opening their businesses, they have been instructed to not congregate for Eid ul-Zuha, even inside a home. They fled in early June in the wake of threats from right-wing Hindu groups. Hindustan Times reports that they have been instructed now by the same groups and also local market associations. The festival falls on June 29. The communal flare-up started with the attempt to abduct a minor girl on May 27. But the report says that despite one of the two accused being Hindu and arrests being made the very next day, right-wing groups led a protest in Purola, identified (and marked) shops owned and leased by Muslims, and even vandalised some of the outlets. Read the full report here.

Al Jazeera reports protests across France over killing of teenager

Unrest continued in France for a second night as security forces deployed in their thousands to quell protests over the killing of a 17-year-old by police. Al Jazeera reports that French President Emmanuel Macron described the killing as “inexcusable” while also pleading for calm as justice took its course. Anger over the killing spawned protests in multiple towns around Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The report says that 150 arrests had been made across the country and that town halls, schools and police stations were set on fire or attacked. Read the full report here.